I smile at him. "I am his eldest daughter. My name is Darlene."
"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I would rather not burden you with it." He is shifting his weight from foot to foot and looking around as though he doesn't believe I'm the only one he can give his message to.
"I assure you I can handle it, and will make sure to pass on the message to my father as soon as he gets back."
I notice his throat move as he swallows hard. Finally, he nods his head. "Well then, can you let him know that his payment is overdue on the loan he has at the bank, and if he hasn't come in to pay in the next four weeks, the field over there will be taken away and become our property." His hand waves toward the field behind the house.
My eyes move to look over at the golden wheat field in the distance.
"All right, I will let him know." My voice shakes as I try to keep myself from crying. I'm not smiling anymore, and I look down to the ground as I feel the blood rushing from my face.
"Pleasure speaking to you." He tips his hat then climbs back on his horse.
"As to you." I reply politely as I walk back towards the house in a haze. Surely when Pa hears this he will come out of his room and take the crop off. Surely.
Genevieve runs over to me, followed by Lydia and Adeline. Hazel looks just as curious sitting up on the blanket.
"Who was that?"
"What did he say?"
They are all asking me questions, curiously watching the horse and rider disappear down the dirt road.
"He was just a man from town, telling us that they had, uh...not received a signature from Pa about the farm and they just need him to sign it." I don't want to fill their minds with worry too.
"Sign what?" Lydia asks.
I avoid making eye contact. I hate having to lie to them. "Just farm stuff." I keep walking, not looking at any of them. "Goodness, is it ever hot out here. You guys all stay out here and I will go get us something cold to drink."
Genevieve and Lydia walk back over to the blanket, but Adeline just stares at me.
"Farm stuff? What's really going on?" She sets a hand on her hip.
"I promise I'll tell you later. Just keep them all outside until I get back. Please, trust me?" I smile at her, pleading with my eyes for her to not ask any more questions.
Adeline nods and walks over to the rest of my sisters. I shut the door as I enter the house and approach Pa's room. Last time I'd spoke to him, it hadn't gone very well.
Nervously, I knock on the door and open it with a creak. He is, as usual, just sitting on the bed.
"A man from town came and said that you have a loan payment past due. We have to get that crop off the field behind the house in four weeks, or they will take it away." I keep my eyes on him, waiting for him to look at me.
"All right." He replies, still sitting on the bed and not moving. I stand with my fists tight at my sides as I wait for him to say something more.
He doesn't, so I raise my voice a bit. "That's it? Aren't you going to go do something about it? That field is what supports this family."
He stares at me blankly like I have said something wrong. "Just sell the eggs."
Anger rises in me, but I manage to calm myself down and reply between clenched teeth. "The chickens haven't been laying eggs much lately. Which you would know if you ever came out of this bed room." I can feel my cheeks start to flush with anger. "And besides, the eggs wouldn't bring enough to make a loan payment, or support our family. They are only good for making trades at the mercantile in town."
"Oh, well just find another way. I know you can do it." Pa looks up at me and gives me a sad smile. His face is more sunken than I remember it ever being, and his eyes aren't as lively. My heart breaks to see him so lost in his grief.
"All right."
Just find another way? How was I supposed to do that?
Chapter 5
I pour cold water into some cups as I try to think. Putting on a brave smile, I go back outside with the drinks on a tray, and take a spot on the blanket with my sisters.
"Genevieve, you're in charge. Adeline, I need to talk to you." I stand back up, smoothing out my wrinkled dress.
We walk to the other side of the house and I turn to face her.
"All right, you wanted to know what that man really wanted, and I trust you to not tell our sisters. They don't need to worry too." I swallow to get the dryness from my throat. "He came from the bank saying that Pa had taken a loan for planting the field, and hasn't paid it off yet." I point out towards the field. "He said if the loan isn't paid off in one month, the farm will be taken away!"
Finally giving in to my worry, I bring my hands to cover my face as I sob, shoulders heaving with the despair I'm feeling. I look up and see Adeline's bright green eyes wide, and her mouth hanging open.
"But... how... no...why?" Adeline stutters, eyes still wide and looking at the field we are now standing by.
"I told Pa, but he..."
Adeline cuts me off.
"Didn't care." She finishes.
Her arms are crossed over her chest and her eyes have hardened. "He hasn't cared since Ma died. I don't understand why you even bother asking for help from him. He's left us on our own Darlene. He doesn't care about us anymore. All he ever loved was Ma, and I can see that clearly." Adeline's voice has risen and her hands move to fists clenched at her sides.
My mouth goes dry. I understand why she's mad, but I could never believe that Pa didn't care. I've done so much with him over the years to know that isn't true. Why can't she believe it too?
"Adi, I know you're mad. I am too, but Pa is grieving and I know he does still care. He just needs to find his way back from his heartache."
She rolls her eyes and steps away from me. "Is that what you think Darlene? In my mind, if someone 'cares', they would come help if their daughter was hurt, feed their children, comfort them and look after everything they worked so hard for. Stop trying to defend Pa. He doesn't deserve the love you're giving him!" Adeline yells at me, voice rising with each word.
I flinch and step back. Adeline has never yelled at me like this before.
"Adi, don't talk like that! Even if Pa is like this right now, we still love him. He's been there for us ever since we were little."
She stares at me, her mouth hanging wide. "You're being so stupid! You can't accept the fact that the Pa we once loved is gone. You're too nice! It's like you think everyone is good, and everyone has their reasons, and they do, but this is different. Pa has abandoned us! I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but you can't keep believing Pa is our only answer. He's gone now! We can't keep hoping we can depend on him. We have to do it on our own!"
Anger bubbles up inside me, but I take a deep breath and try not to let her see how much her words have hurt me. "This latest news will sink in with him soon. He'll help us, just be patient."
"Darlene! I have been patient! I've taken your word that Pa will come back, but he just isn't. It's gone too far. Just take my word this time. He's gone."
I stand there blinking back the tears. She can't be right. Pa can't be gone.
"You're being blind, Darlene. You know, I trusted you, but now you're acting exactly like Pa! You aren't willing to see the truth that's right in front of you." Adeline shouts the words, but quickly covers her mouth with her hands. Her eyes fill with tears and she hangs her head as they start to flow down her cheeks.
I don't know what to say to her, so I just stand with my heart beating so loud I'm sure she can hear it.
She comes over and wraps her arms around my neck. I hug her back, and feel her chin rest on my shoulder. As we stand there in each other's arms, I feel a warm tear run down my arm.
"Darlene, I really didn't mean that. You're not like Pa at all. I just got angry, and I know you're doing everything you can, and I am being so ungrateful!" Adeline cries and I can feel her shoulders shaking with each sob she takes.
I close my eyes and lift my hand to caress the back of her hair. "I kno
w you didn't. You're right though. I guess I've just spent so much time trying to get Pa back, and standing up for him and hoping everything will go back to how it was, I just...I don't know. I try to remember the good times with him and I believed in my heart we could have that again."
I let go of her and she steps back. "So what are we going to do?" She has fear in her eyes that pulls at my heart.
Lost for words, I finally say. "I don't know Adeline. I just don't know."
Chapter 6
Hugging Hazel close to my chest, I close my eyes and breathe in the scent of her freshly washed hair. Adeline hands me a basket of food and I set it under the seat inside the wagon. She reaches out and sets a hand on my shoulder. "I wish I could come with you, Darlene." With her other hand, she absently rubs Ma's old locket that is hung around her neck.
"I know, but they need you." I give a nod toward the younger girls. I pull away from her and climb up on to the seat of the wagon, taking the reins in my hands. "I will be back soon, maybe only a couple of days. Look after each other." I wave to them and they wave back. I try not to notice that Adeline is crying, while the rest of them wave excitedly.
Winnie and Old Red begin a small trot as the wagon rolls forward behind the two horses. I look back at my sisters standing together in front of the house waving as I keep going farther away from the house. I am heading into town to get some things we need, and to sell some goods for money. As soon as I get home, I will need to sort out the loan problem.
After riding for a while, I look back to see the house as only a small speck in the far away distance. My heart feels heavy as I already start to miss the girls, and home. The horses go slow, which I am fine with for now. I focus my eyes on the leaves, which are turning the most beautiful shades of orange and red. Many of the leaves have already fallen and I can hear them crunching under the tires of the wagon.
As I make my way slowly down the road, I find my thoughts drifting to the time when my Pa was building this wagon, as they often did when I was in it. This wagon brought us to a new life, and has been a part of our family story.
About an hour later, my stomach lets out a loud growl. I hadn't noticed how hungry I was. I'm guessing it's about eight o'clock. I've been riding for hours already.
I take out the supper Adeline has specifically said was for tonight's supper, smiling to myself as I remember her telling me. It is a left over chicken sandwich on fresh bread. I eat it fast, enjoying the bread soft in my mouth, the chicken tender.
Yawning, I stand up. I really should keep going. The faster I can get there, the sooner I can come home, but I feel my eyes getting heavy. I decide I can make up time if I'm fully rested for tomorrow.
I steer the horses into an opening in the bushes, where I can see a creek trickling past. At the creek, I step down from the wagon and softly sigh as I stretch my legs out. They are stiff from the uncomfortable wooden seat I have sat on for the past few hours.
The horses have their heads hung low, so I walk over and untie them from the wagons, and lead them over to the creek for a drink of water. They instantly lap the water up greedily, as I tie the other end of the rope to a sturdy looking tree. The tree is close enough to allow them to drink from the creek, and have plenty of grass to graze on over night.
Satisfied with the strong knot I'd learned to do from Pa, I make my way over to the creek myself and take some water in my hands to drink. The water is cold and fresh as it runs down my dry throat. After another sip, I sigh happily and make my way over to the wagon where I climb into the back of it.
I lay the blankets out on the floor and I shut the back of the wagon. It is dark, very dark. I can barely see my own hands as I lie down and pull the blankets up over my shoulders. I hear the frogs croaking from the creek and crickets chirping in the distance. I close my eyes, exhausted.
I hear a snap and a rustle in the leaves. Sitting upright quickly, I look around panicked. The horses don't seem to be too worried, as I hear them softly whinny. I don't hear anything else, but I'm still uneasy. I've suddenly realized anything could be out in those bushes, and I am defenseless.
To calm my nerves, I take out my old straw brush and brush out my long brown hair. Ma used to do this for me when I was scared because it always calmed my nerves. After a while, I stop and listen. It's quiet again, so I set my brush down and lay back down.
Suddenly, I hear another rustle in the bush. It's louder this time, so I move up onto my knees and crawl toward the back of the wagon. I can hear snapping noises coming from the bush near the far side of the wagon. Winnie and Old Red let out a neigh, and I hear them pacing outside, pulling on their ropes.
Why did I lock myself up in complete darkness, unable to see anything that's going on outside of the canvas of the wagon? Winnie lets out a loud neigh, and I feel my heartbeat pick up as I hear more rustling, like something stepping on leaves, just outside the wagon.
I take a deep breath to stop myself from imagining the worst. It's probably just Winnie or Old Red having a hard time settling. I shouldn't worry. There's nothing outside trying to get me. I lay back down, wanting to be rested up for tomorrow.
My eyes open quickly as I hear it again. Louder this time.
The smell of smoke reaches my nose. I know now I need to see what's outside. I creep over and open the back of the wagon to peer out. I see smoke rising near the opening I used to come through to the creek.
Is it a forest fire starting?
Chapter 7
I leap out of the wagon and run toward the smoke. Rocks jut into my bare feet, and the cold night air prickles my arms. I have a dress on, but the cold wind is bitter.
Stopping in my tracks, I listen as I hear a man's voice. I realize he's singing, his voice strong and deep, and I can hear a quiet fiddle. Confused, I walk toward the sound.
I can see the fire now, with a young man sat by it. He's holding the fiddle to his shoulder as he plays. It's difficult to see in the dark, but the light from the fire shows his dark brown hair peeking out from under his cowboy hat. I realize now it was just him making all the noise, so I can feel my nerves start to calm.
I'm still nervous though. I've never seen him before, so I don't know who he is, or what he's doing out here. I don't know whether I should make my presence known to him, or just hope he doesn't see me and I can get away early in the morning before he wakes.
But, he's such a good singer I decide to stay just so I can hear the end of the song. My loneliness enjoys the sound of another voice, making me feel like I'm not so alone out here.
There's a rustle in the bush beside me, and I scream as something jumps out in my direction. I feel my heels get caught under the hem of my dress while I turn to run. Before I know what's happening, I feel myself falling.
A rabbit hops by and stops just long enough to look at me as I hit the ground, seeming annoyed that I disturbed his nightly hop.
The music has stopped, and I know immediately that the man has heard me. I can hear the sounds of his boots as he walks over to where I'm now trying to stand up.
"Where did you come from?" He asks, walking over to me. He puts his hand out to help me to my feet. I avoid his gaze as I brush off my dress.
My hand is shaking as I bring it up rub my forehead. "I was just... I was only..." I am so embarrassed. I hadn't meant for the man to see me. If only I'd just left sooner.
He has a smug grin on his face. "You were in those bushes over there, and I reckon you were spying on me."
I begin to shake my head, horrified that he has found me out. He raises his hands to silence me. "Planning on stealing from me, were you?" He quirks an eyebrow as he stares down at me.
I can feel my jaw drop. How could he think that?
I pull my shoulders up, meeting his stare, and decide I don't need to stand here being accused like a common thief.
"I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to stay watching you so long. I was absolutely not planning to steal from you, and I must confess I'm insulted that you would even say such a
thing. It's just...well, I heard you playing and it was so good and..."
His eyes soften and he smiles as he interrupts me. "You like it? You're welcome to stay for another song if you'd like." He tips his head to the side and furrows his brows. "What's a young lady like you doing out here alone so late anyway?"
I tuck my loose hair behind my ear and look up at him. "I am heading to town actually. My sisters are still at home looking after... you probably don't need to know the details, I guess." I feel my cheeks flush again.
"You're heading all the way into town yourself? What's your name?" He lifts up his hat and rubs his hand through his hair.
"Darlene Carter."
He smiles. "My name's Robert Thompson. Now, just out of curiosity, I'm wondering why on Earth you are out in the bushes alone."
I set both of my hands on my hips. "I'm not alone. I have my two horses."
Laughing he replies. "Oh, I'm sure they're great protection."
"I don't need protection. I can defend myself. I heard rustling in the bushes, and other strange noises, which turned out to just be you, but I wasn't scared at all." I cross my arms over my chest.
"Mhmm, I am sure you can defend yourself. I apologize if my noise caused you any worry." He grins at me, which for some reason makes me believe he isn't sorry at all.
I glare at him. "You think you're funny, but you're really not. You're quite intolerable actually." I look away. "Now if you'll excuse me, I am going back to my wagon." I lift my dress up just above my ankles so I don't trip again and I walk back toward my wagon.
"Goodnight." He calls.
I glance back at him. The light from the fire give his eyes a glow, showing the most beautiful shade of blue I've ever seen. I am sure I notice them sparkle.
I shake my head. It's just from the firelight. And my exhaustion. There's absolutely no way a man that arrogant could have such beautiful eyes.
The further I get from the fire, the colder the air around me gets. It also gets much darker, which makes my pace quicken.
The Wagon Page 3
